Buddyz on the Move

The idea for Buddyz on the Move came about as a result of the success of the Soul Buddyz clubs. The series seeks to reflect and affirm positive action initiated by Soul Buddyz clubs across South Africa. By profiling what children are doing in their own communities to make a difference, the programme seeks to inspire both children and adults to take action. It also aims to challenge the stereotype that children are incapable of making informed choices, and reinforces the message that kids can be active citizens in society.

Each week, Buddyz on the Move visits a new Buddyz club, where each club highlights challenges and seeks solutions to issues in their own communities. Children investigate issues such as gender equality in the taxi industry, unhealthy lifestyles in their own families, traditional versus western medicines for HIV/AIDS treatment, maintaining food gardens in schools to help feed communities, and helping disabled children. The programme follows the Buddyz club as they set out to discover what is happening in their communities around a particular issue and to find out how they can help a community member(s), educate their peers, or change a situation in their own small way. On this journey, they talk to their own parents and peers and interview various members of their community. The clubs seek to showcase innovation and interesting teamwork, and to engage other people in their communities. The programme is driven by the club members themselves, assisted by the club facilitators.

Buddyz on the Move is also linked to the drama series Soul Buddyz, as Buddyz on the Move covers the same issues as the drama series but does it through the eyes and experiences of "real live children". In addition, the programme is anchored by 3 well-known actors from the Soul Buddyz drama series, and ordinary children present and provide the content for the programme.

Children, Gender, HIV/AIDS, Education, Nutrition, Disability

Buddyz on the Move was honoured with a United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Special Award at the 2008 Prix Jeunesse International in Germany. The Prix Jeunesse had this to say of the Buddyz on the Move winning submission: "Buddyz on the Move embodies the UNICEF Prize not only in its presentation of children's rights issues but also in its treatment and involvement of young people and the media process....The very essence of Buddyz on the Move is derived from the power that media can have on children in a positive way..."